SF Homicide Rattles People's Sense Of Security

Police say the break-in and homicide in a Sioux Falls neighborhood late last week was random, in that James McVay didn't know his victim, Maybelle Schein.

That has some double-checking their doors and windows, careful not to leave anything unlocked. People say the crime has rattled their sense of security.

Families are enjoying the summer heat at Sertoma Park Thursday, but Saturday's homicide in a quiet Sioux Falls neighborhood has some second guessing the safety of their community.

"It did, it made me nervous,” Sioux Falls mother Kim Klavetter said. “Not sure if I had to start wondering if someone's going to break in in the middle of the night, need to start carrying a knife."

The park is near Maybelle Schein's neighborhood, and in fact, police say James McVay hid out under this bridge the night before he broke into Schein's home.

"The kids said, 'Let's go to Sertoma' because it has the great playground and some nice shade, and my initial thought was, 'Great, their mom's going to be happy they picked the park where all the stuff happened,' Katie Gregg, a Sioux Falls teacher who’s babysitting over the summer, said. “It's an uneasy feeling."

But people we talked with say it's a good reminder for everyone to stay safe.

"I think South Dakota in general is such a nice, safe place, people don't worry and they let their guard down, leave stuff unlocked, leave garage doors open," Klavetter said.

And even though it's not a huge metropolis, Sioux Falls is a growing, diverse community, and families tell us that's easy to forget.

"When we were in the Cities this week, you feel good to be in a small town, but then you come home and hear this, and think, 'Maybe we're not that small,'" Gregg said.

Visitation services for Schein are being held Thursday night, and her funeral is Friday in Sioux Falls.